This short article compiles a few notes I previously shared when readers ask how to get the most out of my building large language model from scratch books. ...

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A structured five-step approach to learning from technical books: start with an offline read-through to grasp the big picture, follow with hands-on coding by retyping examples, complete exercises to solidify understanding, review notes and explore additional resources, and finally apply concepts in personal projects. The method emphasizes focused reading sessions, active engagement with code, and practical application over passive consumption.

Recommendations for Getting the Most Out of a Technical Book

People underestimate how much you actually learn by typing the code instead of copy-pasting. That second pass usually makes everything click. I’d add one thing: taking a small break between reads helps a ton. Coming back with a fresh brain makes the “aha” moments way easier.

This is an excellent article. I wish I had this article a few years ago. Tech books, while fairly fun to write, are quite another in this scheme of things!

Learning through hands-on experience can sometimes be more explanatory and clear. For instance, going through a concept helps create a mental image or map, but for those who prefer delving into the intricacies and workings, working code and deep dives offer an unparalleled experience. That moment of understanding gets imprinted in experience.

There is some great advice here. There are a few steps that I do before these that might be helpful to you. First, I scan the table of contents and identify parts of the book that I will “ignore for now” - some books can have some fluff. Then I do a rough first pass of all the sections I am interested in. This is almost like speed reading but I am not trying to retain the information. Just a quick scan to orient the mind towards the material. Then I do the stuff mentioned in the article. If I want to take notes, I always write by hand into a notebook.